City cool Balotelli exit talk

Mario Balotelli is "still a Manchester City player", according to first-team coach David Platt, amid speculation the striker is set to join AC Milan.

Reports on Monday suggest Balotelli, 22, is poised to complete a return to Italy to sign for Milan, having struggled for regular first-team football at City this season.

Balotelli, who signed for City from Inter Milan for £24 million in 2010, was also recently photographed having a training ground row with manager Roberto Mancini, casting further doubt over his future.

Platt, though, believes the Italy international will still be at the Etihad Stadium when the transfer window closes on Thursday night.

He said at a press conference: "I saw that speculation (on Sunday) but I've not heard anything.

"It's a shame Robbie's (Mancini) not here. He might know more than me but as far as we are concerned I think he is still a Manchester City player. I don't think there is anything is going to happen."